Holtey Transitional Plane
For some time I have had a fascination for transitional planes. Since I have made two planes that are mainly made from metal it seems fitting that I should now make a transitional plane.
The designs that have had the greatest influence on me are John Gage’s planes, but of course I feel the need to upgrade on the metal working side. I like the lightweight and low profiles of these planes and believe they could find favour with quite a few people.
I also have some interest in ECE Primus planes but again I don’t like their metal work. I do, however, like the laminated sole very much. I feel I could improve here by dovetailing the hardwood sole instead of grooving. It will be technically superior as the mechanics of this jointing system is not totally dependent on glue.
There are some problems in the making of this dovetailed system but I have overcome them with a considerable amount of thought and work. I will be very dependent on the use of my CNC machine. It could provide quite a challenge for the home constructor.
As you may have noticed from a previous post I have already jointed and glued the bodies and they have been settling in my workshop for the past three months.
The timber that I am using is Quilted Maple, for its beautiful figure and light weight. I have a choice of two different woods for the sole; one is a Cocobolo rosewood (Dalbergia retusa) for its density and oiliness, or the Guatemalan Rosewood (Dalbergia cubiquitzensis) which is also dense and oily.
Though I have had considerable interest in these planes I am not taking orders until I can price them.
The picture shows the plane body being flushed using a face cutter in the milling machine. This is not just the only practical way of planing this very difficult wood because of the character of its grain, but I am also applying a high degree of precision.
I am going to be making nine in rosewood/quilted maple and one all in cocobolo and one in rosewood/boxwood.
Showing the boxwood/rosewood plane – but I don’t suppose anyone is interested in this one 
Hi
Looking at the dovetails attaching the base, they appear to be on all four faces, this was a conundrum set for myself as an apprentice. To facilitate a solid base did you machine the dovetails at 45 degrees to the sides so when the two are slid together there are dovetails on all four faces
Comment by Chris Twigger — August 25, 2009 @ 12:14 pm
Nice hint to the dovetailed construction method in the “stickers” in your 12 August posting. I was just pondering what the optimal angle would be when I scrolled back to that photo. Thanks for all the info posted on the blog. It is most enjoyable and enlightening to another woodworker and machinist. RD
Comment by Roger Davis — August 25, 2009 @ 2:49 pm
I’me not interested in one…..ille take them all!
Comment by Dave — August 25, 2009 @ 9:36 pm
Hi Chris
I was going to publish this but must have slipped my mind – see Post 19.
k
Comment by admin — August 26, 2009 @ 11:13 am
Hi Roger
Just got round to posting pictures of the actual construction – see Post 19
Thanks for your comments
k
Comment by admin — August 26, 2009 @ 11:15 am
Hi Dave
What card would you like to use, Sir?
k
Comment by admin — August 26, 2009 @ 11:17 am
I don’t care what you are going to make out of those blocks – the contrasting species with the dovetail joints are absolutely beautiful. You could probably just sell the blocks themselves for a profit.
Comment by Torch02 — September 7, 2009 @ 5:36 pm
Hi
How many blocks to you want?
Clearing my costs is one thing, a profit is something else.
k
Comment by admin — September 8, 2009 @ 9:28 am
Dude…… You ain’t right. Nobody should be that good. These planes you make are out of this world. Everytime I stop by your site and see the new work, I have an overwhelming desire to knock off a bank just to be able to buy them all. LOL… of course. Your work Karl is “spot on”
Comment by craig — January 13, 2011 @ 9:25 pm